Can't Restore User, Settings, And Files

Hi.
I had a user account with a misspelled "full name" and therefore a misspelled home folder name. I followed apple's directions to change these issues here: Change your OS X account name and home directory name - Apple Support
When I followed these directions and restarted, I lost everything in that user's file structure - desktop items, home folder items, preferences, etc. I essentially got a completely clean account. So as far as I can tell, these directions are pretty crappy.
In addition, the setting changes I make to the account won't stay. My adjustments to the icons in the launcher keep disappearing, as do my changes to track pad preferences, etc.
I have a time machine backup from the night before, but when I try to restore it it will only use a "full backup" from December 5th, which is missing a lot of my work.
Can anyone suggest how I can restore all my stuff?

having the exact same problem and am at the same point - can't access my ID. love to hear something helpful

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backup - I can't restore 'library' with support files from Time Machine - Ask Different
Due to an accident, my entire applications folder with all the support files, including plists and caches got deleted.
I tried restoring by files from the most recent Time Machine backups but I cannot retrieve my applications with the support files.
I even tried it with migration assistant on a new image.
Is this impossible?
Must I start from scratch?
Details of the ‘accident’
I was using this app called ‘AppCleaner’ that also automatically deletes related support files which are normally left behind if one simply trashes an Application.
In the search view, I typed the app name and I selected all the apps in the results using Command + A. Unfortunately, this selected every single Application in the Applications Folder in the background and I trashed and deleted all files.
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Screenshots:
Message was edited by: Arsenenger

Can you simply navigate to your Time Machine backup with the Finder? Treat it like an external hardrive and just look for your old Applications folder. /Applications/
Also, quite a few apps put config and support files in ~/Library/Application\ Support/
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Can't Restore User, Settings, And Files

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